Simcenter STAR-CCM+ · Multiphysics CFD
Simcenter STAR-CCM+ CFD Software
Simulate fluid flow, heat transfer, multiphase, solid mechanics and electromagnetics in one integrated environment, with automated meshing, built-in design exploration and AI-accelerated predictions.
Overview
What Is STAR-CCM+?
Simcenter STAR-CCM+ is Siemens’ computational fluid dynamics (CFD) and multiphysics simulation software. Engineers use it to predict how liquids and gases flow, how heat moves and how fluids interact with structures, particles, chemistry and electromagnetic fields, then optimize designs before building prototypes.
STAR-CCM+ was originally developed by CD-adapco, which Siemens acquired in 2016, and it is now the flagship CFD solver in the Siemens Simcenter portfolio. Its defining idea is a single integrated environment: geometry, meshing, physics setup, solving, post-processing and design exploration live in one simulation file, so a CAD change can flow through the whole pipeline automatically.
- Fluid Flow, Heat Transfer, Multiphase, Reacting Flow and Solid Mechanics in One Model
- Automated Polyhedral Meshing for Complex, Real-World Geometry
- Validated RANS, LES and DES Turbulence Models
- Scales From a Desktop Workstation to HPC Clusters and GPUs
STAR-CCM+ · E-Motor ThermalWhy STAR-CCM+
High-Fidelity Simulation Beyond Traditional CFD
STAR-CCM+ combines advanced physics, automation and scalability, so complex flow problems become routine engineering work instead of one-off specialist projects.
Multiphysics Without Disconnected Tools
Fluid flow, heat transfer, solid mechanics and electromagnetics run in one coupled environment, with no data loss between separate solvers.
Automation and Design Exploration
Automated meshing, scriptable workflows and built-in design exploration evaluate many variants and drive simulation-led design decisions.
Accurate Turbulence and Multiphase
Validated RANS, LES and DES turbulence plus free-surface, particle, cavitation and spray models capture real-world flow that simpler tools miss.
Multiphysics
Multiphysics CFD in One Environment
Most CFD projects stop being “just CFD” quickly: a motor needs its cooling oil, a battery needs its electrochemistry, a valve needs its moving parts. STAR-CCM+ couples these physics in the same model, so you set up, mesh and post-process once.
| Physics | STAR-CCM+ Capabilities | Typical Use |
|---|---|---|
| Turbulent Flow | RANS (k-epsilon, k-omega SST, Spalart-Allmaras), LES, DES and transition models | External aerodynamics, internal flow, pressure drop |
| Heat Transfer | Conjugate heat transfer, surface-to-surface and participating-media radiation, solar loads | Electronics cooling, under-hood and cabin thermal |
| Multiphase Flow | VOF free surface, Eulerian and Lagrangian multiphase, fluid film, boiling, condensation and cavitation | Sloshing, sprays, oil cooling, pumps |
| Particles | Discrete element method (DEM) coupled with the flow | Powders, granular media, mixing |
| Reacting Flow | Combustion and chemistry models | Burners, engines, process equipment |
| Solid Mechanics & FSI | Finite element solid stress with one- and two-way fluid-structure interaction | Thermal stress, flexible parts, valves |
| Electromagnetics | Electromagnetic models coupled to heat transfer and flow | E-motors, induction heating, busbars |
| Electrochemistry | Battery cell, module and pack models, including thermal runaway | EV battery design and safety |
| Motion | Overset and sliding meshes, morphing and six-degree-of-freedom body motion | Rotating machinery, valves, marine and store separation |
| Aeroacoustics | Noise source and acoustic propagation models | HVAC, side-mirror and fan noise |
From Workstation to HPC
The same simulation file runs on a laptop for setup and on a cluster for production, scaling to models with many millions of cells and complex geometry.
GPU-Native Solvers
Supported physics run natively on GPUs, which can shorten turnaround on large transient and scale-resolving models.
On-Demand Compute
Burst peak workloads to cloud or in-house HPC with on-demand licensing instead of sizing licenses for the busiest month.
E-Motors & Electrification
Cool the Motor Before You Build It
Combine fluid cooling, conjugate heat transfer and electromagnetic losses in one STAR-CCM+ model to find hot spots in windings, rotors and magnets before the first prototype.
Automation
Automated Meshing and Design Exploration
Two things decide how many designs you can evaluate before a deadline: how fast you can mesh a new geometry and how much of the study runs without you. STAR-CCM+ automates both.
Meshing
Automated Polyhedral Meshing
Meshing is where many CFD projects lose days. In STAR-CCM+, a surface wrapper seals dirty or incomplete CAD, the surface remesher cleans it, and volume meshers fill the domain with polyhedral, trimmed hexahedral or thin-wall cells plus prism layers that resolve boundary layers.
Polyhedral cells have many neighbors, which typically gives accurate gradients with fewer cells and robust convergence. Adaptive mesh refinement, overset meshes and morphing then handle moving parts and evolving flow features without manual remeshing.
- Surface Wrapping for Dirty or Incomplete CAD
- Polyhedral, Trimmed, Thin and Prism-Layer Meshers
- Adaptive Refinement, Overset and Morphing Meshes
- Parametric Pipelines That Re-Mesh Automatically When CAD Changes
Polyhedral Mesh · SpaceplaneDesign Exploration
Design Manager and Simcenter HEEDS
Design Manager runs design studies inside STAR-CCM+: parameter sweeps, design of experiments and optimization driven by the SHERPA search strategy from Simcenter HEEDS, with every variant meshed and solved through the same automated pipeline.
For studies that span several tools, such as CFD plus structural or system models, Simcenter HEEDS orchestrates the whole workflow. Java macros and simulation templates automate repetitive steps, so standard analyses run the same way every time, whoever runs them.
- Parameter Sweeps, DOE, Optimization and Robustness Studies
- Pareto Fronts for Competing Objectives Such as Drag and Cooling
- Java Macros and Templates for Repeatable Workflows
Ducted Rotor Concept StudyAI-Accelerated CFD
Simcenter PhysicsAI in STAR-CCM+
Simcenter PhysicsAI is an add-on that brings geometric deep learning into STAR-CCM+. It trains AI reduced-order models on your CFD results, including historical simulations and earlier design-of-experiments studies, then predicts performance for new geometries almost instantly, without a full solver run.
High-fidelity CFD stays the reference: built-in error metrics and validation tools show how well the model captures real trends, and GPU acceleration speeds up predictions (Siemens cites up to 100x faster on GPU than on CPU). Read our take: Simcenter PhysicsAI comes to STAR-CCM+.
- Screen Thousands of Variants in Minutes, Then Solve the Best Ones
- Transformer Network Architecture Built for Geometric Data
- Plug AI Models Into Optimization Studies
Geometric Deep LearningApplications
Where STAR-CCM+ Delivers Value
STAR-CCM+ is used across aerospace, automotive, energy, electronics, marine and advanced manufacturing, wherever flow and heat decide whether a product works.
External Aerodynamics
Drag, lift and downforce for vehicles, aircraft, drones and race cars, from steady RANS to scale-resolving LES.
Thermal Management
Electronics cooling, under-hood and cabin comfort, and HVAC with conjugate heat transfer and radiation.
Battery Cooling and Safety
Cell, module and pack thermal design, cooling-plate studies and thermal runaway propagation.
E-Motors and Power Electronics
Oil and air cooling of windings, rotors and inverters, coupled with electromagnetic losses.
Fluid-Structure Interaction
One- and two-way coupling of flow with structural deformation for valves, flexible parts and thermal stress.
Multiphase and Free Surface
Sloshing, sprays, boiling, cavitation, fuel and oil systems, and marine hydrodynamics.
Comparison
STAR-CCM+ vs Ansys Fluent
Both are mature, general-purpose CFD solvers trusted across industries. The differences are mostly workflow, multiphysics packaging and licensing, so the right choice depends on how your team works.
| Criteria | Simcenter STAR-CCM+ | Ansys Fluent |
|---|---|---|
| Workflow | One integrated environment for CAD, meshing, physics, solving, post-processing and design exploration | Fluent with Fluent Meshing, often combined with other Ansys tools in the Workbench environment |
| Meshing | Automated polyhedral, trimmed and prism-layer meshing with surface wrapping | Fluent Meshing watertight and fault-tolerant workflows, including poly-hexcore meshes |
| Multiphysics | CFD, solid mechanics, electromagnetics, electrochemistry and DEM in one environment | Strong CFD, combustion and multiphase; structural and electromagnetic coupling usually through other Ansys products |
| Design Exploration | Built-in Design Manager; Simcenter HEEDS for multi-tool workflows | Parametric studies plus Ansys optiSLang and DesignXplorer |
| AI Surrogates | Simcenter PhysicsAI add-on | Ansys SimAI |
| GPU Acceleration | GPU-native solvers for supported physics | Native GPU solver for supported physics |
| Licensing | Power Sessions, Power on Demand and Power Tokens | Ansys CFD licenses with HPC packs or Ansys Elastic Units |
| Best Fit | Teams that want one environment for coupled physics and automated design studies | Teams standardized on the Ansys and Workbench ecosystem |
Switching solvers is rarely about one feature. We run side-by-side evaluations on your own geometry so you can judge accuracy, setup time and turnaround before you commit. New to the FEA and CFD split? Read FEA vs CFD: which do you need.
Request a Benchmark DemoLicensing & Pricing
STAR-CCM+ Pricing and Licensing Options
STAR-CCM+ is licensed for compute, not just seats. Cost depends on how many simulations you run at once, how many cores or GPUs each job uses and which add-ons you need, so we size a quote to your workload instead of quoting a list price.
- Power Session: Run a Simulation on as Many Cores as Your Hardware Provides, With No HPC License for Each Core
- Power on Demand: Metered, Hours-Based Licensing for Peaks, Cloud HPC and Occasional Users
- Power Tokens: Run Design Manager and HEEDS Studies With Many Designs in Parallel
- Installation, License Setup, Onboarding and Support From TrueInsight
Comparing tools across the portfolio? See Siemens Simcenter software, our engineering software pricing overview or support and licensing for renewals.
Get STAR-CCM+ Pricing
Tell us about your models, hardware and team, and we’ll recommend a license mix.
Thanks, Your Request Is In
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Free Trial & Training
STAR-CCM+ Free Trial and Training
A guided trial on your own geometry tells you more than any datasheet. Our application engineers set it up with you, then train your team on the workflows you will actually run.
Scope Your Use Case
Share your application, CAD tools and hardware so the trial covers the physics that matter to you.
Install With Help
We set up the software and licensing and confirm your workstation or cluster is ready.
Run a Real Model
Work through a guided kickoff on your geometry, from meshing to results, with an application engineer on call.
Review and Decide
Compare results, setup time and turnaround, then choose the license mix that fits your workload.
Expert Guidance
Training That Starts With the Physics
From model setup and meshing strategy to solver settings, validation and HPC deployment, we teach your team to trust its results, not just which buttons to click.
Authorized Reseller
Where to Buy STAR-CCM+ in the US
Simcenter STAR-CCM+ is sold by Siemens and its authorized channel partners. TrueInsight is an authorized Siemens channel partner based in Midvale, Utah, serving engineering teams across the United States.
Buying through a partner gives you the same software and licensing, plus an engineering team that answers the phone. Our application engineers help you choose license types, install, train your team and keep simulations running, and the same team can run CFD projects for you when you need extra capacity.
- Quotes for New Licenses, Renewals and Added HPC Capacity
- Competitive-Replacement and Startup Programs Where Available
- US-Based Application Engineers on Mountain Time
- Training and CFD Consulting From the Same Team
Talk to Sales
Get a STAR-CCM+ Quote
- Call(866) 224-2114
- Emailsales@trueinsight.io
- Office7090 S Union Park Ave, Midvale, UT 84047
- HoursMon–Fri, 8:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m. MT
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions About Simcenter STAR-CCM+
What Is STAR-CCM+?
Simcenter STAR-CCM+ is computational fluid dynamics (CFD) and multiphysics simulation software from Siemens. It simulates fluid flow, heat transfer, multiphase flow, solid mechanics, electromagnetics and more in a single integrated environment, with automated meshing and built-in design exploration. It was originally developed by CD-adapco, which Siemens acquired in 2016.
What Is STAR-CCM+ Used For?
Engineers use STAR-CCM+ to analyze and optimize fluid flow, heat transfer, solid mechanics and multiphase systems across the product development lifecycle. Typical applications include vehicle and aircraft aerodynamics, electronics and battery thermal management, e-motor cooling, turbomachinery, marine hydrodynamics, process equipment and fluid-structure interaction.
How Is STAR-CCM+ Different From Traditional CFD Tools?
Instead of separate tools for geometry, meshing, solving and post-processing, STAR-CCM+ provides one integrated multiphysics environment with automated meshing, coupled solvers and end-to-end workflows. That reduces manual setup, keeps results consistent and makes complex, real-world problems practical to simulate repeatedly.
Can STAR-CCM+ Handle Multiphysics Simulations?
Yes. STAR-CCM+ is designed for coupled multiphysics, so engineers can combine fluid dynamics, heat transfer, solid mechanics, electromagnetics, electrochemistry and particle dynamics in a single model without relying on disconnected solvers.
Does STAR-CCM+ Support Turbulence and Multiphase Modeling?
Yes. STAR-CCM+ includes validated turbulence models such as RANS, LES and DES, plus multiphase and free-surface models. Together they capture complex phenomena such as cavitation, sprays, particles, boiling and phase interaction.
Can STAR-CCM+ Scale to Large and Complex Simulations?
Yes. STAR-CCM+ scales from desktop workstations to high-performance computing (HPC) clusters, with GPU-native solvers for supported physics. It handles models with many millions of cells and highly complex geometry while maintaining performance and solver stability.
How Much Does STAR-CCM+ Cost?
There is no single list price. Cost depends on how many simulations you run at once, how many cores or GPUs each job uses, which add-ons you need (such as design exploration or PhysicsAI) and the license model, for example Power Sessions or Power on Demand. Request STAR-CCM+ pricing and we’ll recommend a license mix for your workload.
Where Can I Buy STAR-CCM+ Software?
From Siemens or an authorized Siemens channel partner. In the US, TrueInsight is an authorized Siemens channel partner based in Midvale, Utah, selling and supporting Simcenter STAR-CCM+ nationwide, including new licenses, renewals and added HPC capacity, with installation, training and application engineering support. Contact our team.
How Does STAR-CCM+ Compare to Ansys Fluent?
Both are mature, general-purpose CFD solvers. STAR-CCM+ emphasizes one integrated environment with automated polyhedral meshing, built-in multiphysics and Design Manager. Fluent is often used inside the Ansys Workbench ecosystem with Fluent Meshing and other Ansys products for coupled physics. The better choice depends on your physics, existing tools and licensing preferences, and a benchmark on your own model is the most reliable way to decide.
Is There a STAR-CCM+ Student Version?
Siemens offers academic access to Simcenter STAR-CCM+ for students and universities through its academic programs. Student and academic licenses are meant for learning and research, not commercial work, and terms change over time, so check Siemens’ current academic offerings. Commercial projects need a commercial license.
Does TrueInsight Provide Support for STAR-CCM+?
Yes. TrueInsight supports STAR-CCM+ with model setup guidance, meshing strategies, solver configuration, automation workflows, HPC deployment and best practices that help engineering teams get accurate results faster. See our CFD engineering services.
Related Pages
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